Private Detectives and Investigators salary in California
Private Detectives and Investigators in California earn a median of $61,250 a year ($29.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,410 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $51,220. California ranks 7th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.23 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| 25th percentile | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Median | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| 75th percentile | $82,110 | $39.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,410 | $49.71 |
| Average (mean) | $67,040 | $32.23 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,104.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,552.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,355.77 |
| Weekly | $1,177.88 |
| Hourly | $29.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $70,150 | 430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,060 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,680 | 1,520 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $59,490 | 420 |
| Modesto, CA | $58,460 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,170 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $51,130 | 350 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,220 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,650 | 280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $48,600 | 40 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,970 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,590 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,230 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| Animal Control Worker | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in California?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in California is $61,250 a year, or $29.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in California?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in California earn at least $103,410 a year. The top 25% earn $82,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,600 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,380 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in California?
About 4,190 private detectives and investigators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.